I don't doubt that the Jaguars and the Buccaneers will havestrong teams this year, but No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, inthe league (Scouting Reports, Aug. 17)?JOHN ALLAIN, Milwaukee

You miscalculated when you picked Kansas City, one of the mosttalented teams in the AFC, to finish 8-8. Not only do the Chiefshave a potent passing attack with Elvis Grbac, Andre Rison andTony Gonzalez, but they also have one of the most intimidatingdefenses in the NFL with Derrick Thomas, Dale Carter and JamesHasty.CLINT DANIELS, Leawood, Kans.

As an avid Rams fan, I am furious with your prediction that St.Louis will win only two games this season. Last year, with a newcoach, injured players and an inexperienced team, the Rams wonfive games. JONATHAN ROSS, St. Louis

LEGENDS IN THEIR TIME

Congratulations to Paul Zimmerman on his article about the mostinfluential quarterbacks in the history of the game(Revolutionaries, Aug. 17). One thing he forgot to mention,however, is the bond that three of these passers share--westernPennsylvania roots. Not a day goes by in Pittsburgh without agroup of children playing sandlot football while dreaming of theday they might follow Joe Montana, Joe Namath and John Unitas inbecoming an NFL star from the Cradle of Quarterbacks.MIKE FERENCE, Trafford, Pa.

A MODEST PROPOSAL

After reading Peter King's article about a new summer footballleague, I thought of an idea that might sell it better (PROFOOTBALL '98, Aug. 17). Why not stock each team with players fromone college conference? Imagine an All-Big Ten team versus anAll-SEC team or the ACC versus the Pac-10.JEFF KNEZ, Alexandria, Va.

SPEED MERCHANTS

As a sports information director, I've always been amazed at theimportance coaches and scouts have placed on the 40-yard dash(Mad Dash, Aug. 10). I've thought that with a running back thetime, what is critical is the five-yard dash--from the place wherehe gets the ball on a handoff to the place where he gets throughthe hole. After that, yardage gained is as much a matter ofdeception (Gale Sayers) or of strength (Jim Brown) as it is ofspeed.STEW SALOWITZIllinois Wesleyan UniversityBloomington, Ill.

Your article reminded me of when my brother was being recruitedby colleges in the early 1970s. He had his heart set on Dukebecause my father and uncle had played there. The Blue Devils'coaches kept saying that they wished my brother's 40 time werefaster. My father finally asked, "When was the last time that aDuke running back ran 40 yards on one play, anyway?" My brotherwent to Duke and started for three years as a defensive back.JIMMY COX, Raleigh, N.C.

While a football player for Indiana University of Pennsylvania in1970, my brother Chad was a guest at a banquet at which runningback Tom Matte of the Baltimore Colts was the speaker. Matteasked Chad if he wanted to play in the NFL. Chad said yes butadded that he hadn't been drafted. Matte told him to call UptonBell, the Colts' director of player personnel. Matte then askedChad what his time in the 40 was. Chad told him 4.8. Matte pausedand said, "When you talk to Upton, you better lie a little bitabout that." Chad said, "Tom, I already lied to you."JIM RUFFNER, New Alexandria, Pa.

MIND GAMES

The article chronicling the thoughts a quarterback has in theheat of the action (One Play, Aug. 17) is the best description sofar of the toughest job in football. It was a tribute to everyonewho has played quarterback, as well as to Brett Favre and his NFLbrethren.MIKE SULLIVAN, Philadelphia